Is American Express a charge card or a credit card?

American Express has a mix of charge cards and credit cards. Charge cards such as The Platinum Card have no preset limit but require cardholders to pay their balance in full each month unless their purchases qualify for special financing. Other American Express cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, are credit cards with standard APRs on purchases.

Do American Express credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?

Many American Express credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, but some do charge this fee of up to 3%. The Platinum Card, Hilton Honors Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express® Card and many others waive foreign transaction fees.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).

American Express Disclosure

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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Best American Express Credit Cards in 2024

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American Express^® Gold Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is our top pick from American Express thanks to its exceptional rewards on food purchases — including restaurants, takeout, delivery and U.S. supermarkets. Your everyday spending on this generous travel rewards card can easily fund an upcoming vacation.

American Express is one of the most popular card issuers for consumers and small business owners. The issuer offers a variety of credit cards that earn miles, points and cash back. Plus, new cardholders may qualify for a 0% intro APR offer and other valuable benefits, depending on the card for which they apply. American Express offers cards for every budget, ranging from cards with no annual fee to premium cards with annual fees of up to $695 per year.

One of the major benefits of American Express cards is that many of them offer versions for both consumers and small business owners. With these cards, you can earn rewards for your personal and business expenses. Then, you can combine them into one bucket to accelerate your earnings. With some cards, you can even transfer your rewards to an American Express travel partner, including Delta Air Lines and Hilton Honors.

Best American Express Credit Cards of 2024

Winner (Travel points)

American Express^® Gold Card

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Business card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

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Travel card

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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No annual fee

Hilton Honors American Express Card

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Cash back credit card

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

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Business cash back credit card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

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Beginners

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

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on American Express's secure site
0% APR and balance transfer credit card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

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Airline miles

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

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Hotel credit card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

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Winner (Travel points)

American Express^® Gold Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.3

LendingTree's Review

4.3

Learn More

Earn up to 4x points on food purchases
Generous welcome offer
Up to $240 in credits per year
Use points to book travel or transfer to partners

High annual fee
Credits can be difficult to use

The American Express^® Gold Card offers great benefits and earning opportunities in the travel and cuisine categories. The card earns as much as 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per year), which can be used to book travel or transfer to airline and hotel partners.

On top of a generous rewards rate, the card offers up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you use it at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations — for savings of up to $120 annually. Enrollment is required.

Plus, when you add your American Express^® Gold Card to your Uber account, you’ll automatically get $10 in Uber Cash each month (for a total of up to $120 per year) to use on U.S. Uber Eats or rides.

We should note that while some dining credit cards offer an accelerated rewards rate only at U.S. restaurants, the American Express^® Gold Card offers the higher rate at restaurants worldwide. There are also great travel benefits offered for airlines, hotels and cruise and tour packages. Another bonus for travelers: There are no foreign transaction fees, making it advantageous to use the card outside of the U.S.

*To see rates & fees for American Express^® Gold Card, please click here.

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the American Express^® Gold Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Business card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

4.4

The Business Platinum Card<sup>®</sup> from American Express

LendingTree's Review

4.4

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Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels
Hotel benefits, including Hilton and Marriott Gold status (enrollment required)
Airport lounge access
Annual credits that can offset the annual fee

High annual fee for primary and employee cards
High minimum spending to earn welcome offer
Limited bonus categories

The travel benefits offered by The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express are fantastic for people who take a lot of flights and stay in hotels when on business trips. The card includes airport lounge access, airline fee credits*, hotel perks and other travel benefits. Plus, you can get 35% of your points back when booking eligible flights through Amex Travel*.

Cardholders also receive up to $400 in Dell Technologies statement credits each year*, access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection — which includes more than 1,400 lounges across 140 countries, a credit of up to $360 for Indeed purchases*, a credit of up to $150 for select Adobe subscriptions*, a credit of $189 to cover your annual CLEAR membership*, up to a $200 annual airline fee credit*, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit*, discounts on private jets and much more.

*Enrollment is required for these benefits.

*To see rates & fees for The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, please click here.

Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
$695 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Travel card

The Platinum Card^® from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

4.5

The Platinum Card<sup>®</sup> from American Express

LendingTree's Review

4.5

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Generous welcome offer
Over $1,500 in annual credits
Complimentary airport lounge access
Hotel elite status and perks (enrollment required)

High annual fee
Credits may be difficult to use
Limited bonus categories

The Platinum Card^® from American Express offers abundant perks for the frequent traveler. Cardholders receive airport lounge access, complimentary Gold status from Marriott and Hilton*, valuable annual credits and more. Plus, new cardholders can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Travel credits include an annual hotel credit of up to $200, an annual airline fee credit of up to $200*, a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit of up to $100* and an annual CLEAR® membership credit of up to $189*.

Other benefits include up to a $300 Equinox credit*, up to a $240 digital entertainment credit*, an annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit of up to $100* and Global Dining Access by Resy.

*Enrollment is required for these benefits.

*To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card^® from American Express, please click here.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.¤
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the The Platinum Card^® from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

No annual fee

Hilton Honors American Express Card*

LendingTree's Review

3.2

LendingTree's Review

3.2

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Earn up to 7x points on purchases
Automatic Silver elite status (enrollment required)
Upgrade to Gold elite status after spending $20,000 in a calendar year (enrollment required)
Foreign transaction fees: None
Rental car protection

High spending required to upgrade to Gold status
No free anniversary nights, as offered by some other hotel credit cards

The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers users great earning power and elite status benefits with an annual fee of $0. Cardholders earn Hilton Honors points toward their next hotel stay and receive automatic Silver elite status (enrollment required). You can also earn Gold status by spending $20,000 within a calendar year (enrollment required).

Cardholders earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations AND 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

Travelers also enjoy rental car protections when booking cars with their Hilton credit card. Additionally, foreign transaction fees are waived.

*To see rates & fees for Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.

Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
No Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Cash back credit card

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

4.6

Blue Cash Preferred<sup>®</sup> Card from American Express

LendingTree's Review

4.6

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Earn up to 6% cash back, redeemable for statement credits
Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

Annual fee reduces value of cash back rewards
Restrictions on bonus categories limit earning potential
High penalty APR if you make a late payment
Foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

The Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express earns up to a hefty 6% cash back on purchases, including U.S. supermarkets, making it one of the best grocery cards around. Cash back is easily redeemable for statement credits.

If you max out the $6,000 spend threshold at U.S. supermarkets, you’ll earn $360 back on those purchases alone in a year. That more than covers the card’s annual fee.

Additionally, if you need to finance a large purchase, you can get an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months. Just know, once the promotional APR period ends, you will be subject to an APR of 18.49%-29.49% Variable if you carry a balance.

*To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, please click here.

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.49% - 29.49%.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
$84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Business cash back credit card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.4

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

LendingTree's Review

4.4

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Earn up to 2% cash back on purchases, redeemable for statement credits
Intro APR on purchases
Add employee cards at no extra cost
Purchase protection and extended warranty protect purchases

Cash back bonus is limited to the first $50,000 spent each year
No balance transfer 0% APR offer

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back on all purchases after that — with no annual fee. Cash back is redeemable for statement credits. There are no bonus categories to manage, and the card offers an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (followed by a 17.74% - 25.74% Variable APR).

Business owners can also add employee cards to track their purchases and earn rewards at no extra cost. Plus, the card includes purchase protection and an extended warranty on eligible purchases.

*To see rates & fees for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% – 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply

*The information related to the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Beginners

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

4.4

Blue Cash Everyday<sup>®</sup> Card from American Express

LendingTree's Review

4.4

Learn More

on American Express's secure site

Earn up to 3% cash back
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
Lucrative cash back welcome offer
Monthly credits for Disney Bundle and Home Chef (enrollment required)

Bonus cash back limited to $6,000 in purchases in specific categories per year
Monthly credits cover only a portion of subscription costs
Foreign transaction fees of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
High penalty APR if you miss a payment

People who are new to credit cards can earn valuable cash back with the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, particularly when it comes to common consumer purchases. This card earns up to 3% on several categories, including U.S. supermarkets. The card has a $0 annual fee and includes an intro APR offer on balance transfers and purchases.

New cardholders can receive a welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Additionally, this card offers an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months and 0% on balance transfers for 15 months. After that, the APR is 18.49%-29.49% Variable.

The card also includes an annual Disney Bundle credit*, a Home Chef credit* and a complimentary ShopRunner membership*. ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping on eligible items at more than 100 online stores.

*Enrollment is required for these benefits.

*To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, please click here.

Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 18.49% to 29.49% variable APR.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

0% APR and balance transfer credit card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.1

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Learn More

Long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Earn an unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases, redeemable for statement credits
$0 annual fee
Extended time to earn the welcome offer

No bonus categories for higher rewards
Does not include purchase protection or extended warranty benefits
Foreign transaction fees of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
High penalty APR of 29.99% variable if you miss a payment

For new purchases, the American Express Cash Magnet® Card gives users a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months from the date of account opening. It also offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months from the date of account opening on balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening Once the intro period expires, you will have a 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR. The card also features a generous welcome offer, you’ll earn a high flat rewards rate without paying an annual fee. It’s a simple rewards card with no bonus earning categories or spending caps to keep track of.

If you plan to use the American Express Cash Magnet® Card outside of the U.S., be aware that you will be subject to a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

$200 back after spending $2,000 or more in purchases with your card within the first 6 months of card membership.
Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases.
Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, currently 19.24% to 29.99%.
Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
Amex Offers rewards you at places you like to shop, dine, travel, and more. You can add as many Offers as you’d like to your Card, then just use that Card to pay, and enjoy rewards directly on your statement.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
No Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the American Express Cash Magnet® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Airline miles

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card*

LendingTree's Review

3.2

Delta SkyMiles<sup>®</sup> Platinum American Express Card

LendingTree's Review

3.2

Learn More

Earns up to 3x miles on purchases
Large welcome offer
Annual companion certificate for a domestic flight
Complimentary checked bags and priority boarding
15% discount on award tickets

Annual fee is higher than most airline credit cards
Limitations on bonus categories reduce earning opportunities
High penalty APR if you miss a payment

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card features a valuable welcome offer, as well as strong earning power and great money-saving perks for users. The Delta SkyMiles will add up quickly with bonus miles on Delta flights, hotels, U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. Plus, cardholders will be able to check their first bag for free and get priority boarding on Delta flights, will get a 15% discount on award flights and will receive an annual companion certificate that’s good for one domestic flight per year.

New cardholders can earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, you can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Despite its hefty $350 annual fee, the card’s benefits can easily outweigh the cost. Cardholders booking a Delta flight get the first checked bag free for themselves and up to eight other people on the same itinerary. They also receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. The card features an annual companion certificate that’s good for one Main Cabin round-trip domestic flight each year that you renew the card. Plus, you now get 15% off the miles required to book award flights as a cardholder.

*To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.

Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Resy Credit: When you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $10 back each month in statement credits.
$120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$350 Annual Fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Hotel credit card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass<sup>®</sup> Card

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Learn More

Complimentary Gold elite status (enrollment required)
Upgrade to Diamond elite status based on annual purchases (enrollment required)
Annual free night based on spending
Earn up to 12x points on purchases

Must meet spending requirements to earn a free night
Bonus categories are limited to U.S. merchants (except Hilton hotels)
No purchase protection or extended warranty benefits

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card includes a hefty welcome offer, high earnings potential and complimentary Gold elite status for a reasonable annual fee (enrollment required). Cardholders can also earn an annual free night certificate based on their annual spending.

You can earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

In addition to the welcome offer, the card offers one of the highest rewards rates on hotel, U.S. dining, U.S. supermarket and U.S. gas purchases currently available.

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card comes with premium travel benefits including complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required), a free weekend night reward from Hilton Honors when you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.

*To see rates & fees for Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, please click here.

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
$150 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Compare best American Express cards

Credit Cards	Our Ratings	Welcome Offer	Rewards Rate	Annual Fee
American Express^® Gold Card* Learn More	4.3 Winner	Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply	$325	Learn More
The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express* Learn More	4.4 Business	Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.	5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.	$695	Learn More
The Platinum Card^® from American Express* Learn More	4.5 Travel	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply.	$695	Learn More
Hilton Honors American Express Card* Learn More	3.2 No annual fee	Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.	Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations AND 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.	$0	Learn More
Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express* Learn More	4.6 Cash back	Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.	Earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.	Learn More
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card* Learn More	4.4 Business cash back	Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.	Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%	No annual fee	Learn More
Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express* Learn More on American Express's secure site	4.4 Beginners	Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.	3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms apply.	$0	Learn More on American Express's secure site
American Express Cash Magnet® Card* Learn More	4.1 0% APR & balance transfer	$200 back after spending $2,000 or more in purchases with your card within the first 6 months of card membership.	Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases	$0	Learn More
Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card* Learn More	3.2 Airline miles	Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.	$350	Learn More
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card* Learn More	4.2 Hotel	Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.	Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.	$150	Learn More

*The information for the American Express^® Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Platinum Card^® from American Express, Hilton Honors American Express Card, Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, American Express Cash Magnet® Card, Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms Apply.

Should you get an American Express card?

Getting an American Express credit card can be a good move for consumers and business owners alike. American Express offers credit cards that match the spending patterns, budget and lifestyle of almost anyone. In addition to earning miles, points or cash back, its cards offer valuable perks and annual credits that help to justify their annual fees.

Most cards have consumer and small business versions to maximize benefits
Membership Rewards points from different cards pool into one account
Use the Amex Trifecta to maximize rewards
Authorized users have separate card numbers from the primary cardholder

“Once per lifetime” bonus rules restrict applicants
Some cards have annual fees of $250 or higher
American Express cards are not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard

Where is American Express accepted?

American Express has made a concerted effort to expand the number of merchants that accept its cards. According to the latest Nilson Report, American Express cards are accepted by 99% of U.S. merchants that accept credit cards.

However, when you travel internationally, your American Express card is less likely to be accepted than a credit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo. Because of this, if your primary credit card is from American Express, it’s a good idea to bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card as a backup. Avoid choosing a card with foreign transaction fees of up to 3% on international purchases.

How to choose an American Express card

If you’re interested in getting an American Express card, follow these steps to narrow down your options and find one that matches your spending patterns, budget and reward preferences.

Make sure you can qualify for an American Express credit card

Your application for an American Express card can be declined if you have a less-than-great credit score. American Express primarily focuses on customers with stronger credit backgrounds. If you’re just getting started with credit or your credit score is poor or fair, you may need to improve your score to increase your approval odds.

Don’t know your credit score? Sign up for LendingTree Spring to get your free credit score and recommendations to boost your score.

FICO Score	VantageScore
300-579 is poor credit 580-669 is fair credit 670-739 is good credit 740-799 is very good credit 800-850 is exceptional credit	300-499 is very poor credit 500-600 is poor credit 601-660 is fair credit 661-780 is good credit 781-850 is excellent credit

Decide what type of credit card you want

American Express offers cards with a variety of benefits, rewards, annual fees and other features. You can narrow down the choices by considering which features are most important to you.

What type of user are you?	Choose a …
You want to earn points that you can use with any hotel or airline.	General travel card (American Express^® Gold Card)
You want the simplest, most flexible rewards possible.	Cash back credit card (Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express)
You're collecting miles with a particular airline or could use perks such as free checked bags and lounge access.	Airline credit card (Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card)
You frequently stay at a hotel chain and could use perks such as elite status and free hotel night certificates.	Hotel credit card (Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card)
You're trying to pay down a balance on another credit card.	Balance transfer credit card (American Express Cash Magnet® Card)
You want to finance a large purchase.	0% APR credit card (American Express Cash Magnet® Card)
You need a card to make purchases for your small business.	Business card (The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express)

The information related to the American Express Cash Magnet® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

Find rewards that match your spending patterns

Rewards credit cards typically offer bonus categories with higher earnings for select categories. Review your spending patterns and select a card with bonus categories that are relevant to your spending.

Popular bonus categories	Best cards
Dining	American Express^® Gold Card
Gas	Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express Hilton Honors American Express Card Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card
Groceries	American Express^® Gold Card Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card Hilton Honors American Express Card Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express
Travel	American Express® Green Card

The information related to the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express and American Express® Green Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

Decide if you want to pay an annual fee

While some experts may recommend that you avoid paying annual fees on credit cards, this advice is a bit outdated. The better approach is to review a credit card’s earning power, annual credits and other benefits to determine if the annual fee is worth it.

Credit cards that earn or save money on items you were going to buy anyway easily justify paying an annual fee. For example, if you check bags when flying, paying an annual fee for a card that waives checked bag fees can save considerable money.

The Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. It includes the first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation. With Delta charging $30 per bag each way, you can cover the annual fee very quickly.

*To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card please click here.
Consider other card benefits

While many cardholders focus on a card’s welcome bonus and earning power, other benefits can be much more valuable. Here are a few benefits that the best American Express credit cards offer and examples of cards that include each benefit.
- No foreign transaction fees: When making international purchases, some cards charge foreign transaction fees of up to 3%. The Hilton Honors American Express Card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
  *To see rates & fees for Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.
- Lounge access: Having airport lounge access provides an oasis within airport terminals. Many of these lounges provide complimentary drinks, food, Wi-Fi and other benefits that enhance travel. Access to more than 1,400 lounges is included with The Platinum Card^® from American Express.
- Travel credits: Travel credits cover the cost of eligible travel expenses up to a stated maximum annual amount. The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express includes up to a $200 airline fee credit and reimburses CLEAR application fees of $189 when using the card to pay for these charges (enrollment required).
- Travel protections: Unexpected events such as canceled or delayed flights and lost bags can interrupt your travel plans. The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card protects against trip delays, rental car damage and lost or stolen bags.
- Purchase protection: If your items are stolen or accidentally damaged shortly after purchase, this coverage reimburses you. The American Express® Green Card covers your purchases for up to 90 days at up to $1,000 per item ($50,000 per year).
- Return protection: When a merchant won’t accept a returned item, return protection reimburses you for eligible purchases Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express covers up to $300 per eligible item ($1,000 per year) within 90 days of purchase.
- Extended warranty: This coverage adds an extra year to eligible manufacturers’ warranties without requiring you to purchase an extended warranty from the retailer. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card adds up to one year on eligible warranties of five years or less.
The information related to the American Express® Green Card and Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

How do Membership Rewards work?

American Express Membership Rewards are flexible points that can be redeemed in multiple ways. All Membership Rewards points earned from eligible American Express cards are automatically pooled into one account, so you don’t need to manually transfer them between accounts. If you have a small business, the Membership Rewards points from your linked personal and business cards also pool into one account.

Your points can be used in multiple ways, including booking travel with Amex Travel, shopping at Amazon, buying gift cards or getting statement credits. Each redemption option has a different point value. This means some options have lower values, while others are higher. Generally, transferring points to airline and hotel partners offers the highest value return for your points.

Membership Rewards redemption options

Transfer strategically to the right travel partner: ~2.2 cents
Get a flight, hotel, car rental, vacation package or cruise through the Membership Rewards portal: 0.75-1 cent
Use Amex points on Amazon.com: 0.7-1 cent
Redeem points for gift cards: 0.5-1.1 cents
Redeem points for statement credits: 0.6 cents
Buy merchandise with points: 0.5 cents
Donate points to charity: 0.7 cents

Membership Rewards cards

You’ll find a large variety of personal and business cards that earn Membership Rewards points. Some of these, such as the American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card, make great partners with other Membership Rewards cards.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express
American Express^® Gold Card
American Express® Green Card
The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express
American Express^® Business Gold Card
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The information related to the American Express® Green Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

American Express travel partners

American Express allows you to transfer points to a large list of hotel and airline programs, including major American carrier Delta Air Lines. While most American Express transfer partners are on a 1:1 basis, not all miles and points are created equally. In some cases, you’ll receive a much higher value by selecting one transfer partner over another.

American Express offers periodic transfer promotions for which you’ll receive bonus rewards when transferring to select partners. These bonuses can greatly reduce the number of points you need to transfer to book an award flight or hotel reservation.

Also, keep in mind that point transfers are permanent. Once you transfer points to a partner, you cannot unwind that transfer.

Transfer partner	Airline alliance	Point transfer ratio
Aer Lingus	None	1,000:1,000
AeroMexico	SkyTeam	1,000:1,600
Air Canada	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
Air France/KLM	SkyTeam	1,000:1,000
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
Asia Miles	oneworld	1,000:1,000
Avianca	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
British Airways	oneworld	1,000:1,000
Delta Air Lines	SkyTeam	1,000:1,000
Emirates	None	1,000:1,000
Etihad	None	1,000:1,000
Hawaiian Airlines	None	1,000:1,000
Iberia	oneworld	1,000:1,000
JetBlue	None	250:200
Qantas	oneworld	500:500
Qatar Airways	oneworld	1,000:1,000
Singapore Airlines	Star Alliance	1,000:1,000
Virgin Atlantic	None	1,000:1,000
Choice Privileges	N/A	1,000:1,000
Hilton Honors	N/A	1,000:2,000
Marriott Bonvoy	N/A	1,000:1,000

How to apply for an American Express credit card

When you’re ready to apply for an American Express credit card, use these tips to increase your approval odds.

Know your credit score. American Express requires a minimum credit score of 660 for most of its cards. Check your score ahead of time to avoid applying if your score is too low.
Boost your credit. If your credit score is too low for the American Express card you want, take steps to increase your score. Paying down balances is a quick way to lower your utilization and boost your score.
Gather your personal information. You’ll need your personal information, such as date of birth, Social Security number and income, to apply for an American Express card. Assemble this information before applying so you can quickly complete your application.
Get preapproved. Applicants can use the American Express “Apply with Confidence” tool to see which card they are preapproved for. Preapproval does not affect your credit score unless you finalize your application.
Use the welcome offer qualification tool. One of the greatest benefits of applying for a new card is the welcome offer you can earn. American Express has a welcome offer qualification tool that warns applicants if they are ineligible for a bonus on the card for which they are applying.

How many American Express cards can you have?

Many American Express cardholders report being limited to five credit cards at one time. Some cards, such as The Platinum Card^® from American Express or American Express^® Gold Card, and corporate cards are not included in this total.

If you apply for a new American Express credit card and are at the limit, you could be declined for the new card. Alternatively, you may ask the reconsideration department to close an existing card in order to get approved for the new card.

Frequently asked questions

No, American Express does not currently offer a secured credit card. Instead, customers can purchase American Express prepaid gift cards if they are unable to qualify for one of its credit cards.

The minimum credit score needed to be approved for an American Express credit card varies based on which card you’re applying for. You may be approved for an American Express credit card with a credit score as low as 660.

Generally, American Express requires that you have good to excellent credit to be approved for one of its credit cards, although some cards will approve users with a credit score as low as 660, which is on the higher end of fair credit. If you have bad credit, you can use one of its prepaid card products while you are rebuilding your credit score.

American Express no longer offers cards that are officially considered charge cards. Some American Express cards have no preset limit but require cardholders to pay their balance in full each month — however, you can carry a balance for some purchases that qualify for special financing with these cards. Other American Express cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, are credit cards with standard APRs on purchases.

Many American Express credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, but some do charge this fee of up to 3%. The Platinum Card^® from American Express, Hilton Honors American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and many others waive foreign transaction fees.

Some American Express cards include rental car and travel protections, but coverages and limits vary by card. These benefits are typically offered by travel-focused cards, such as The Platinum Card^® from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.

Methodology: How we chose the best American Express cards

To select the best American Express credit cards, our credit card experts compared the leading cards offered on the American Express website and LendingTree.com, including cash back cards, business cards, travel cards and more.

Although we primarily focused on American Express-branded cards, we also considered American Express co-branded credit cards.

We then chose our top picks based on a variety of factors, like rewards rates, welcome offers, annual fees and introductory purchase APRs. Additionally, we looked at the benefits offered by each card, such as travel credits, travel protections and complimentary lounge access.